Crufts

CRUFTS 2026

Japanese Akita Inu

7th March 2026 was a truly historic day for the Japanese Akita Inu here in the UK and I have to say what a tremendous honour it was to be officiating at this prestigious show and awarding the first set of CCs in the breed following their removal from the ranks of the ‘Rare Breeds’. Without question all temperaments on the day were good and there are some very talented handlers in the breed who made the most of their charges. Generally speaking outline and body proportions were good, heads and expressions were variable with some a little ‘plainer’ and for the most part, coats were excellent. Movement continues to be a challenge in the breed and although many breeds struggle to maintain good forequarters, the Japanese Akita Inu breeders seem to have more difficulty with hind action. Having said this, there were some good moving exhibits present on the day. I was delighted with the quality found in my CC and Reserve CC winners, all of whom were an absolute pleasure to judge. Hopefully they will go to have continued success. Others among the entry should also go on to have exciting times ahead in the show ring. Good luck to this wonderful breed and as your development continues and well done to all involved in reaching this milestone.

GCD (1,0)

1. Davis’ Ryuukita Burning Talisman at Kasaishiro (IKC). 2 yr old red fawn standing alone here. He presented a pleasing outline with muscular neck of moderate length, firm level back, correct depth of body to leg length ratio, ribbing extends well back, well-muscled loin, good croup and curled tail set on high. Masculine head of good proportions, flat skull, dark expressive eyes of correct shape and placement, thick ears inclining forward, pleasing cheek development, tight well-pigmented lips and scissor bite. He stands true in front on good feet but would just like to see a tad more development of forechest. Moves out with a moderate length of stride. Excellent temperament. Well handled.

PD (3,0)

1. Fiddes’ Askari Code Red. Quite a challenging class to judge. My eventual winner was this 9 mth old red fawn. Not entirely relaxed on the day but overall I thought he was deserving of this placement and he scored here on construction. All male and carrying good bone with a vibrant rich off-standing coat. Muscular neck of moderate length with pronounced crest, topline still to settle, good depth to brisket, very good ribbing for age, well-muscled loin, firm croup and curled tail set on high. Most attractive head and expression with good breadth to his flat skull, dark almond-shaped eyes of correct set, thick ears inclining forward, pleasing cheek development and scissor bite. He stands well naturally in front and moved freely all through with moderate length of stride. Best Puppy Dog.

2. Fiddes’ Askari Red Alert. Red fawn who turned out to be the litter brother to the class winner which was not surprising given how similar they are. This youngster pleased for type and is well boned and also vibrant in colour and with a correct off-standing coat. Clean neck of moderate length, firm level back, good depth to chest, ribbing carried well back, broad loin and curled tail set on high. Quality head with good skull to muzzle proportions, defined stop, dark almond-shaped eyes which are obliquely placed, super ears, good cheeks and scissor bite. Straight forelegs and stands on excellent feet. Not quite action of his brother. Well handled.

3. Rayner’s Arashikensha Rei No Senshi

JD (3,1)

1. Pike & Carter’s Tsoyu Wakahiko Go Breezelyn. Two very nice red fawns challenged in this class with the win going to this 15 mth old. Super youngster who was a delight to go over given his correct construction. I thought him bang on for type and so well balanced with neck of correct length, firm level topline, good depth of body to leg length proportions, super ribbing for age, muscular loin, good croup and curled tail set on nice and high. Quality headpiece with masculine expression; breadth to his flat skull, the very best of eyes and ears, well developed cheeks, tight well-pigmented lips and correct dentition. He has correct angulation front and rear, stands true naturally in front on very good feet and has a pleasing forechest. Moving freely coming and going and in profile, he has a moderate easy stride. Vibrant rich colour and excellent quality coat. Super temperament and so very well handled. RCC.

2. Bernard & Ly’s Eiichi No Amaru Go Yamakawa Nite. This 13 mth old was unlucky to come against the winner as he is also full of quality and correct for type. He presented a well-balanced outline with nicely arched neck of moderate length, firm backline, brisket of good depth, ribcage is of good length and ribbing developing as it should for age, well-muscled loin of breadth, correct underline, firm croup and curled tail which is set on high. Masculine headpiece with breadth to his flat skull, well defined stop, muzzle of correct length to balance, dark expressive eyes of correct shape and placement, thick ears inclining forward, good cheek development, dark pigmentation and scissor bite. Moderately angulated both front and rear and elbows held close to the body. Moving well on the go around and true when going away but winner scored when coming towards. Excellent coat.

PGD (3,1)

1. Aleksandrovych’s Yoshiazuma Go Fuen No Oka Ua/Md/Mk/Bg Jch. 2 yr old red fawn who comfortably headed this class for me and he was very well handled here. He has such a super outline with crested neck of correct length to balance, level topline, depth of body matches length of leg, correct ribbing, firm loin, good croup and curled tail set on high. Pleasing head with good skull, excellent eye and ear, defined stop, muzzle of correct length, pretty good cheek development and scissor bite. Moderately angulated front and rear and he stands nice and straight in front on excellent feet. On the move, he has a good length of stride, rear action is ok but just flicks pasterns a tad when coming towards.

2. Loca & Kardasz’s Shogetsu Tora Go Hajimari. 2 yr old brindle. Hefty lad who is quite different to the winner. He has a moderate length of neck which is clean and with pronounced crest as desired, depth of body and leg length proportions are good, ribcage extends well back and his curled tail is set on high, however his topline rises somewhat towards the rear. Head proportions are correct and his skull is flat with the distinct furrow, eyes pleased for shape, placement and colour, ears could be thicker and they are a little larger but cheek development is excellent. He stands nice and straight in front on acceptable feet. When gaiting, he could be more positive going away. Good quality coat.

LD (1,0)

1. Grundy’s Hitorikko Go Hajimari under Kyuuten (Imp Pol). 4 yr old red brindle who has a super temperament and was so well handled here. All male and carrying lots of bone and substance. He was good hands on and presented a pleasing outline with an excellent neck, firm backline, brisket of good depth, muscular loin, good croup and curled tail set on high. Attractive head with breadth to his flat skull, defined stop, ears are nice and thick and incline forwards, eyes of good colour, well developed cheeks, muzzle of correct length, tight well-pigmented lips and scissor bite. He stands true in front on very good feet and pleased for forechest. When gaiting, he has a moderate length of stride, acceptable rear but pins a touch in front. Good coat.

OD (4,0)

1. Thompson & Fowkes’ Nld/Ir Ch Hokushou Go Daruma Kensha (Imp Ita) Wjw'24 Cw'25 Dw'25. 2 yr old red fawn who I thought excelled for type and outline. Thick, muscular neck of correct length to give balance and with desired crest, firm straight back, depth of body and length of leg proportions are correct, excellent ribbing, short in the couplings with breadth to loin, correct croup and curled tail set on high. First class head with masculine expression; he has breadth to his flat skull with distinct furrow, well defined stop, dark almond-shaped eyes of correct placement in the skull, thick ears which incline forward following the line of the back of the neck, well developed cheeks, tight lips which are well pigmented and correct scissor bite. He is moderately angulated front and rear, elbows are close to the chest, forelegs are well-boned and straight and he stands on such good feet. On the move, he pleased on the down and back and has the correct moderate stride for the breed when viewed in profile. Excellent coat of rich vibrant colour and correct urajiro. Delighted to award him the CC, the first such award for the breed in the UK, and he was also my choice for BOB.

2. Bennett’s Ir/Nld Ch Seijitsu Amafumi Go Tsoyu. 5 yr old red fawn who was a close second here. This boy also appealed for overall type and presented a well balanced outline. Nicely arched muscular neck of moderate length, firm through the backline, brisket reaches the elbows and he has the correct length of leg to give balance, excellent ribbing, well-muscled loin, correct underline, firm croup and tail set on high and curled over the back. Masculine head with flat skull of breadth and distinct furrow, expressive eyes of good colour, shape and placement, thick ears which pleased for size and incline forward, good cheeks, muzzle of correct length to balance and scissor bite. He has correct angles front and rear, stands true in front on nice tight feet and is well muscled throughout. Moving freely with moderate stride and good carriage and handled to advantage. Vibrant colour to his correct coat with desired urajiro.

3. Duffield’s Hr Ch Meiho Kensha Akioshiro Go Sw25

VD (2,1)

1. Johnson & Borisov’s Swiss/Ir Ch Taiho Go Tamashi Kenn (Imp Srb) Alpensieger’25 Cent Ch Cw22 Cen W. 7 yr old red fawn with sufficient bone who was casting coat on the day. Neck of moderate length which is arched as desired, level backline, brisket reaches the elbows and leg length is proportionate, moderate spring of rib, short loin, good croup and curled tail set on well. Nicely proportioned head with breadth to his flat skull, defined stop, expressive eyes of good colour, moderately developed cheeks and correct dentition. His angulation pleased both front and rear, elbows are close the chest and he stands straight in front on tight feet. When gaiting he has the correct length of stride and goes ok on the down and back. Best Veteran Dog.

GCB (2,0)

1. Davis’ Kimetsu Ayuki Kori Go at Kasaishiro. 11 mth old white who won this class with room to spare. She pleased for type and presented a well-balanced outline. Moderate length of neck which is nicely arched, excellent topline, good depth to brisket, ribbing developing well for age, short in the couplings, firm croup and curled tail set on high. Feminine headpiece with breadth to her flat skull, super expressive eyes of good colour, shape and placement, ears follow the line of the back of the neck, pleasing cheek development, tight lips and scissor bite. Moderately angulated front and rear, elbows close to the sides and stands true in front on good feet. Off-standing coat. Gaiting, she pleased on the go around and is ok coming and going. Best Puppy.

2. Davis’ Ryuukita Danu at Kasaishiro (IKC). 4 yr old white. Feminine girl with moderate bone. She has a correct length of neck, back is firm, good depth to chest, moderate ribbing but falls off a tad at croup. Flat skull of good breadth, pretty good eye, ears are somewhat thinner and larger than preferred, muzzle of correct length to balance, pleasing cheeks and scissor bite. On the move, she goes well enough on the go around but flicks left pastern coming towards and I would like a more positive hind action. Shown in lovely condition but coat was more plush than would like.

PB (4,1)

1. Davis’ Kimetsu Ayuki Kori Go at Kasaishiro

2. Loca’s Kimetsu Amayori Go. 11 mth old white who turned out to be littermate to the class winner. She has a lovely temperament and plenty to like. Nicely arched neck of moderate length, firm level back, pleasing rib development, short loin with breadth, good croup and curled tail set on high. Well proportioned head with feminine expression; flat skull with distinct furrow, almond-shaped eyes of good colour and obliquely placed, ears are thick and inclining forward and she has correct dentition. Moderate layback of shoulder, straight well-boned forelegs and stands on nice tight feet. Moderate profile action, moving well coming towards but could be firmer behind. Good coat.

3. Rossa’s Sumatora Kiyoshi Rumi Go

JB (3,0)

1. Koblasa’s Japoniška Imperija Takafumi. 16 mth old brindle with much to like and was good hands on. She pleased for balance and overall outline and carries good bone. Moderate length of neck which is nicely arched, firm level back, brisket reaches the elbows and she has the proportionate length of leg to balance, ribbing extends well back, short broad loin, correct croup and tail set on high and curled over back. Head of good proportions with broad, flat skull, ears are thick and correctly set, eyes are of good colour but outer corners could be raised more, well developed cheeks, tight lips and good bite. Moderate angles both ends, elbows held close to the chest and she stands well naturally in front. Easy moderate length of stride. Good quality coat.

2. Pike & Carter’s Tsoyu Yuizuki Go Breezelyn Bel Jch Bw'25 Dw'25. 15 mth old brindle who was close up here and another who was pleasing to go over. She appealed for overall type and presented a lovely outline with crested neck of moderate length, straight backline, good depth to chest, ribbing carried well back and developing as it should for age, broad loins, good underline, firm croup and curled tail set on well. Feminine headpiece of correct proportions; flat skull, very good ears, eyes of good colour, pleasing cheek development and scissor bite. Soundly constructed all through and she stands just right in front and has very good feet. Off-standing coat.

3. O'Neill Clark & Pearson’s Tsoyu Wakamizu Go Anshee

PGB (5,0)

1. Iudicelli’s Azumi Go Daruma Kensha. 21 mth old red fawn who very much appealed but even so I felt she will only get better as she matures. Balanced girl with strong muscular neck, level back, good depth to body and leg length proportions, well defined underline, firm croup and tail set on high. Feminine head with flat skull of breadth and with distinct furrow, ears pleased for size and thickness and incline forward as desired, super expressive eyes, sufficient development of cheeks, well pigmented tight lips and scissor bite. Moderate angles front and rear, standing straight in front on good feet but still to broaden a tad in forechest. Moderate length of stride and good carriage and handled to advantage. Excellent quality coat.

2. Koblasa’s Japoniška Imperija Takafumi

3. Buckley’s Matsukita Satomi to Tsoyu

LB (5,0)

1. Thompson, Chapman & Carter’s Tsoyu Urakohime Go. 3 yr old red tiger brindle who was an absolute delight hands on and full of breed type. Well-boned and shown in excellent coat and condition, she presented a super outline with crested neck of moderate length, firm straight backline, first class ribbing, brisket reaches the elbows which are held close to the body, short broad loin, correct croup and curled tail set on high. Amazing head and expression; strong yet retaining femininity with broad flat skull, dark almond-shaped eyes which simply draw you in, thick ears inclining forward, well developed cheeks, muzzle of correct length to balance, tight well-pigmented lips and correct dentition. She stands well naturally both front and rear, has excellent feet and impressed for forechest. Confident showgirl who made the most of herself when gaiting and was handled to perfection here. Very best of coats. A quality girl most deserving of the first Bitch CC in the breed.

2. Thomas’ Kazan No Visis avec Nosferatu (Imp Fra). This 20 mth old red fawn bitch is another fully of quality and she too was so good to go over. Beautifully balanced with strong, arched neck of moderate length, firm through the topline, correct depth of body to leg length proportions, ribbing extends well back and is moderately sprung, broad well-muscled loin, correct croup and curled tail which is set on high. Super headed girl with the best of expressions; broad flat skull with distinct furrow, thick ears of correct size and following the line of the back of the neck, dark almond-shaped eyes which are set just right, well developed cheeks, muzzle of correct length to balance, well pigmented tight lips and correct dentition. I liked her angles front and rear, she stands straight in front on very good feet and also pleased for forechest. On the moved, she has the correct moderate length of stride, is excellent coming towards, but just a little closer going away. Excellent quality stand-off coat of vibrant rich colour with correct urajiro. Well deserved RCC winner today.

3. Horrobin’s Charadon Kaoru Go

OB (5,1)

1. Thompson & Chapman’s Tsoyu Tamashino Go. 5 yr old black brindle who I considered an excellent type and she presented a nicely balanced outline and was feminine throughout. Muscular neck of correct length with pronounced crest, level back, deep through the brisket, moderate spring of rib, firm loin, well defined tuck up, good croup and tail set on nice and high. Striking head with good skull to muzzle proportions, defined stop, dark expressive eyes of correct shape and obliquely placed, ears are thick are incline forwards, cheeks are well developed and she has correct dentition. Shoulders moderately laid back, elbows close to the body and she stands true in front on excellent feet. Moving out with moderate length of stride, very good when going away but could be firmer in pasterns coming towards. Good quality stand-off coat.

2. Duffield’s Hr Ch Meiho Kawai Hana Go Sw25. 4 yr old red fawn who also pleased. She presents a good outline with nicely arched clean neck of moderate length, topline is nice and straight as required, she has moderate spring of rib and good depth to chest, correct underline, short in the couplings, firm croup and tail is set on high. Nicely proportioned head with breadth to her flat skull, eyes of good shape, colour and placement in the skull, well defined stop, tight lips which are well pigmented and scissor bite, however for me winner just had the edge in overall expression. She is moderately angulated front and rear, stands nice and straight in front on super feet and is well muscled all through. Gaiting cleanly on the down and back and with moderate length of stride on the go around.

3. Rayner’s Nara Go Towa No Miyako (Imp Ita)

VB (1,0)

1. Thomas’ Vladtepes No Hiromi Go. 10 yr old red fawn. Soundly built girl who was presented in super muscle-tone for her age and she was so good hands on. She is well-balanced with arched neck of correct length, firm in topline, brisket reaches the elbows which are held close to the chest, ribbing extends well back, loin is short and broad and her curled tail is well set on. Attractive head with feminine expression; excellent skull, well defined stop, good eye and ear, pleasing cheeks and tight well pigmented lips. She is well-boned and stands nice and straight in front on excellent feet. Pleasing action on the down and back and a nice easy stride with good carriage on the go around. Very well handled to take Best Veteran.

Judge: Tim Ball